KSRTC to start AC low-floor bus services to tourist spots

Kochi: In a bid to shore up its revenue, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is all set to roll out tour circuits by operating AC low-floor bus services connecting major tourist spots in the state.

As an initial step, the corporation has started JnNURM low-floor services to destinations like Munnar, Kovalam and Varkala beach from several depots. A tour chart will be prepared in such a way that the timings will be co-ordinated and a route map prepared before publishing it on its website.

“The tour package will cater to international and domestic tourists. Initially a programme will be rolled out in a way that a person arriving from Bangalore in our multi-axle Volvo buses can visit tourist destinations in a day or two by travelling in low-floor AC buses locally. We are finalising the timing and route-maps. The tour programmes will be announced through our website soon,” said Managing Director Antony Chacko.

While commuters can travel in the buses, seats will be reserved for those availing the tour programmes.

“We have started operating new low-floor buses to tourist spots from depots like Thodupuzha (Ernakulam-Munnar-Thekkady, Thodupuzha-Nedunkandam). The AC buses are already running to places like Fort Kochi, Varkala Beach, Kovalam, etc. New services will be started to destinations like Kumarakom,” said KURTC Special Officer N G Pradeep Kumar.

Meanwhile, a dedicated website including the route and timings of schedules of JnNURM low floor buses will be ready within two weeks. “The data entry process has been completed and the final work is on. Upon receiving the nod, the website of KURTC (Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation) will be opened for the public in two weeks,” said Vipin Kumar, Co-ordinator, EDPC.